Xavier women's tennis, volleyball are NAIA Scholar-Teams

NEW ORLEANS — High grade-point averages by two Xavier University of Louisiana's women's teams -- volleyball and tennis -- have earned them NAIA Scholar-Team awards for the 2013-14 academic year.

This is the first time that Xavier has been honored. The NAIA announced the awards Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets compiled a 3.11 team GPA in volleyball and a 3.00 GPA in tennis.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar-Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale as defined by the institution. The team GPA includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.

"Being named an NAIA Scholar-Team is a tremendous honor for our women's tennis and volleyball teams and a fitting reward for their hard work in the classroom," said Jason Horn, XU director of athletics and recreation.

Both XU teams qualified for NAIA National Championships this past season.

Volleyball was 26-8 and won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships. Tennis was 17-7, won the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament, ranked No. 1 twice in the coaches poll and advanced to the national semifinals.